His words startled the already tense group, causing them to flinch.

As more and more people learned about the matter, Wan Suizhou had no choice but to make arrangements on the spot...

"Why don't they want me to go?!"

Xie Yongnian was the first to complain when he heard that Wan Suizhou's plan did not include him. He immediately forgot about seniority and started shouting.

Seeing this, the guard was about to say a few words of reprimand, but Wan Suizhou raised his hand to signal him, and he obediently shrank back to Xiao Qi's side.

After regaining his composure, Wan Suizhou remained calm as always. His aged and deep eyes fixed on Xie Yongnian, who was about to throw a tantrum, and he patiently said, "This operation will not involve you children. We are facing vicious bandits, unlike in the past. It will be dangerous for you to go out on your own. I know you are all brave and enthusiastic, but it is better for the adults to handle this storm for you."

Wan Suizhou's voice was calm and steady, and his demeanor exuded the composure of an elder. Even when speaking to impulsive children, he remained polite.

Xie Yongnian seemed to be moved by his attitude. He bit his lip and reluctantly stepped aside, but he stopped talking.

After briefly instructing the other children, Wan Suizhou sent his quick-footed son to report to the authorities.

Before half an incense stick's time had passed, Wan Kongshan hurriedly returned with Magistrate Cao.

The magistrate seemed to have been woken from a deep sleep; his official robes were wrinkled and his hat was askew, but his eyes were clear and his posture was upright.

Behind them followed a group of constables carrying torches, their faces glowing in the light.

"Mr. Wan."

Magistrate Cao rushed to Wan Suizhou, saying, "Such a big thing has happened to the Xie family. It's a matter of life and death. We must go and see immediately."

"Okay." After Wan Suizhou finished speaking, he turned around and instructed the others, "Wanwan, you stay with Young Master Xiao and the others and don't wander off. Kongshan, go and get a torch."

At a command, everyone performed their duties. Xiao Qi and the guards pulled the children aside to avoid the coming and going crowd, while Wan Kongshan quickly went to the kitchen to make a torch.

As soon as the firelight shone, the Xie family, the Wan family, and Magistrate Cao followed the trail the bandits had taken.

The other villagers of Hailan Village, who were either busy spreading the word or cleaning up the mess, saw that Mr. Wan, who was nearly sixty years old, had taken action, so they also made torches and followed him.

A long, fiery dragon departed, following the chaotic footsteps of the crowd.

The courtyard immediately fell silent, leaving only a few children.

The group that was following them was led by Magistrate Cao, Wan Suizhou, and Wan Kongshan. After the commotion earlier, it was almost midnight. The group, carrying torches, followed the hoofprints left on the ground as they went up the mountain.

The soil on the mountain was even more damp, and it was the time of dew, so the hoofprints were deeper and deeper.

"Look at this."

Wan Suizhou reminded Magistrate Cao and squatted down, while Wan Kongshan quickly held up the torch.

The three of them squatted down beside a clump of grass, and Wan Suizhou slowly took a red bracelet from the grass stem.

"This is the red string that the bride wore when she got married!"

The magistrate exclaimed in surprise, "It seems that these bandits really did abduct the bride and head down this road."

"father!"

Wan Kongshan ran towards the distance with a torch in hand, then turned back and called out to the two men.

Cao and Wan quickly stepped forward, and Wan Kongshan held the torch to a low tree, where a small red silk scarf lay.

"This is a clue left to us by the bride!" Wan Kongshan exclaimed excitedly, his eyes shining brightly in the torchlight.

“It seems things aren’t so easy to handle after all.” Wan Suizhou held the two clues in his hands, his gray eyebrows furrowing. “If we keep following this road, then the bandits will have taken the girl to the desolate mountains over there.”

Upon hearing the name, everyone involuntarily looked up at the distant mountain peaks.

Hidden among layers of mountains, Kongji Mountain is much taller and more precipitous than other peaks, yet it lies a hundred miles away, its outline barely visible.

Gazing at the desolate mountains shrouded in mist in the distance, everyone fell silent.

...

At this moment, the friends on the other side of the courtyard could only remain in the ruins, silently gazing into the distance.

The smashed door was still scattered on the ground, and broken pieces of porcelain and wood were still everywhere. The bandits had smashed so much that not a single decent stool was left, and the few little people could only pick up a step to sit on.

The night air was damp and chilly, and the red candles and lanterns, which should have been festive, seemed eerie and strange in the gloomy atmosphere.

Wanwan sat in the pale red shadow cast by a few red lanterns in front of the door, listlessly propping up her chin and looking into the distance through the dilapidated wooden door.

Where are Grandpa and the others now?

Xiao Qi stood not far from her, his tall and motionless figure appearing as a black silhouette in the heavy night.

He didn't speak, and seemed to be gazing into the distance as well.

Wanwan would occasionally take a moment to check if he was still there.

Seeing that figure gives me a sense of security.

Wan Yuekui and Wan Yuechi were dozing off on the other side, back to back, both exhausted.

Only Xie Yongnian paced back and forth in the courtyard, the only sounds being the barking of dogs and chirping of insects in the near and far. Xie Yongnian's increasingly anxious footsteps were the only clear sounds of life in the utterly silent night.

"no!"

Xie Yongnian suddenly shouted, startling the Wan brothers who were dozing off nearby. They were instantly awakened.

Wanwan and Xiao Qi turned around upon hearing the sound.

Xie Yongnian made up his mind and said firmly, "No! I can't wait any longer! It's my sister-in-law who's going to be lost, I can't just sit by and do nothing!"

"Don't be impulsive!" Wan Yuekui stepped forward and blocked his way. "We are all too young to be a match for the bandits. Going out now will only cause trouble for the adults."

These words somehow struck a nerve with Xie Yongnian. He shoved Wan Yuekui aside and snapped, "Cowards! If you won't go, I'll go myself! It's my family that's being disgraced, not yours, so it's none of your business!"

After saying that, he was about to go out again.

Seeing this, Wan Yuekui simply went up and hugged him from behind around the waist, saying, "No! Grandpa told us to wait here!"

"Let me go!"

Xie Yongnian suddenly unleashed a strange power, which Wan Yuekui could not grasp no matter what he did.

With a furrowed little eyebrow, her short legs rushed forward and grabbed Xie Yongnian's fidgeting hand.

The other party became even angrier, shouting and moving around wildly.

Xiao Qi steadily approached from behind him and chopped Xie Yonghou's neck with a hand chop.

Xie Yongnian fainted immediately...

The world fell silent instantly, and the children stared at him in astonishment.

"It's cold outside, let's help him inside first."

Xiao Qi calmly gave the instructions without explanation.

Whether it was because his actions had exceeded the Wan brothers' comprehension or not, Xiao Qi seemed to have immediately gained the upper hand among them.

Without any objection, the group hurriedly followed instructions and together carried Xie Yongnian into the house.